“My wife is your people. But this is not the only reason your people are my people,” he stated. “I am the Sea King. I will protect the Mer in promise and deed, with my armies, my armadas and my life.”

Jorie remained silent.

Aramus did not.

“Now you may wish to involve yourself and your people with the happenings on land, or you may not. That will be your choice. I will not make a request for your might, your power and your magic. It will be up to you to give it. I will not negotiate you doing the right thing. I will not hold your sister from you. Not for you, but Silence adores her cousin True and she has much love to give. I would not keep a brother from her. Thus, Jorie, King of the Mer, it is up to you what you and your people will do. When you are ready to meet your sister, we will make that so.”

Jorie still did not speak.

Thus, Aramus continued.

“Now, my wife and I are going home. There are two little girls who have already lost too much in their young lives who are undoubtedly frightened beyond reason Ha-Lah and I have gone missing. We must return.”

“You seem to think much of yourself that you, at long last, have made just decisions for the beasts of the sea, and the beings in it,” Jorie returned.

“I think only that I must thank the gods for my wife. For in truth, if they had not guided her to me, I would have sailed and raided and whaled and not considered any of these things.”

“That does not say much for you,” Jorie retorted.

“Indeed,” Aramus returned. “But it says a great deal about my wife.”

“My king,” I whispered, warmed to my core at his words.

He looked to me, and when he saw my expression, his face grew soft. “You are my conscience. You know this, so do not look as if my words surprise you.”

“You are a fine man, a great king,” I replied. “For you did not have to listen to me and more, do something about it.”

“How about we settle on the fact we’re both bloody wonderful?” he teased, a twinkle in his brown eyes.

Oh, but that twinkle.

I grinned at him. “I can do that.”

“Though, you’re more wonderful,” he muttered.

And I warmed anew.

“Perhaps we can steer your conversation away from mutual admiration and back to matters at hand,” Jorie suggested, and my husband and I turned our attention to him only to see his brows draw together as he looked beyond us.

I looked that way as well, to see another bare-chested, iridescent-leather-trouser clad mermale moving swiftly our way.

Not exactly our way, he went straight to Jorie.